Dallas Cowboys to release Kyle Orton

Quarterback Kyle Orton will be released by the Dallas Cowboys, who have already signed Brandon Weeden as a replacement. He filled in for Romo in Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles and was unable to engineer the Cowboys to a playoff-clinching victory.

Orton has since debated whether he wants to continue to playing football. According to reports, he was fined $70,000 for skipping the Cowboys’ minicamp workouts. His release will force the Cowboys to take a $5 million salary cap hit due to Orton’s signing bonus.

Orton currently has a 35-35 record as a starting quarterback, having thrown for 83 touchdown passes against 59 interceptions while holding an 85.3 rating. He gained starting experience with the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs before spending two seasons as the Cowboys’ primary backup.

Weeden, meanwhile, will take backup duties after spending two seasons as the starter for the Cleveland Browns. He performed abysmally, notching a 5-15 record and throwing 23 touchdown passes against 26 interceptions for a 71.8 rating.

Tony Romo will continue to be the starter for the Cowboys at age 34, and has five years remaining on his $108 million contract. He has used the offseason to recover from two back surgeries.